African American Sites in Springfield, IL

The Lincoln Colored Home today, located at 427 S. 12th Street in Springfield, IL.

NPS Photo

Living, Serving, Learning:
Sites of Black History in Springfield

As African Americans lived in segregated Springfield, they built places where they lived, worked, and learned. These places reveal the lives of people who used and loved them.

The Lincoln Colored Home

The Lincoln Colored Home was a safe place for black children and the elderly. Founder Eva Carroll Monroe fundraised from black churches, social clubs, and prominent Springfield citizens. The Home opened in 1898 and housed many, becoming a unique place dedicated to black residents’ well-being.

Read More:

Wanda Hendricks, "Eva Carroll Monroe: Social Welfare Reformer and Advocate for Children," REFORM - iht1010313.html (niu.edu), 2003.

"Lincoln Colored Home," Sangamon Link, Lincoln Colored Home | SangamonLink (sangamoncountyhistory.org), 2013.

Mansberger and Stratton, "National Register of Historic Places Survey of Springfield's African American Community and the Central East Neighborhood, Springfield Illinois," 2018.

Firehouse no 5. firefighters with a horse-drawn fire carriage, from State Topics, 1903.

Sangamon valley Collection, Lincoln Public Library

Firehouse No. 5

Firehouse No. 5 was Springfield’s first black firehouse. Firefighters with horse-drawn fire carriages responded to emergencies, defending homes, businesses, and people. Firefighters, like Captain John Foreman, protected Springfield’s citizens.

Read More:

"Engine House 5," Sangamon Link, Engine House 5 (“the colored firehouse”) | SangamonLink (sangamoncountyhistory.org), 2021.

"Charles Lockhart," Digital DNR, Charles Lockhart - Individuals (illinois.gov).

"First Black Firehouse," Illinois Times, FIRST BLACK FIREHOUSE | Illinois Times, 2015.

Students and teachers stand in front of the Ambidexter institute at 902 S. 12th Street in Springfield, IL.

Sangamon Link, Sangamon County Historical Society

The Ambidexter Institute

In the early 20th century, Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute tried to improve life for African Americans by training students and encouraging them to invest in their communities. The local Ambidexter Institute followed this model, opening in 1901 and teaching skills like carpentry, tailoring, and dressmaking.

Read more:

"Booker T. Washington," Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, National Park Service, Booker T. Washington - Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov), 2020.

Curtis Mann, "Another Kind of Schoolhouse," Illinois Times, Another kind of schoolhouse | Illinois Times, 2013.

"Ambidexter Institute," Sangamon Link, Ambidexter Institute | SangamonLink (sangamoncountyhistory.org), 2013.

To learn more about African American history in Central Illinois, visit the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum at 1440 Monument Avenue, Springfield IL 62702!